“Preach the Word”

4 I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: ² preach the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it is not [keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable, whether convenient or inconvenient, whether welcome or unwelcome]; correct [those who err in doctrine or behavior], warn [those who sin], exhort and encourage [those who are growing toward spiritual maturity], with inexhaustible patience and [faithful] teaching. ³ For the time will come when people will not tolerate sound doctrine and accurate instruction [that challenges them with God’s truth]; but wanting to have their ears tickled [with something pleasing], they will accumulate for themselves [many] teachers [one after another, chosen] to satisfy their own desires and to support the errors they hold, ⁴ and will turn their ears away from the truth and will wander off into myths and man-made fictions [and will accept the unacceptable]. ⁵ But as for you, be clear-headed in every situation [stay calm and cool and steady], endure every hardship [without flinching], do the work of an evangelist, fulfill [the duties of] your ministry.

⁶ For I am already being ^[a]poured out as a drink offering, and the time of ^[b]my departure [from this world] is at hand and I will soon go free.^{(A) 7} I have fought the good and worthy and noble fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith [firmly guarding the gospel against error]. ⁸ In the future there is reserved for me the [victor’s] crown of righteousness [for being right with God and doing right], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that [great] day—and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and longed for and welcomed His appearing.

Personal Concerns

⁹ Make every effort to come to me soon; ¹⁰ for Demas, having loved [the pleasures of] this present ^[c]world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. ¹¹ Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very helpful to me for the ministry. ¹² But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. ¹³ When you come bring the coat that I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments. ¹⁴ Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; [but that is no concern of mine, for] the Lord will repay him according to his actions. ¹⁵ Be on guard against him yourself, because he vigorously opposed our message.

¹⁶ At my first trial no one supported me [as an advocate] or stood with me, but they all deserted me. May it not be counted against them [by God]. ¹⁷ But the Lord stood by me and strengthened and empowered me, so that through me the [gospel] message might be fully proclaimed, and that all the Gentiles might hear it; and I was rescued from the ^[d]mouth of the lion. ¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from every evil assault, and He will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

¹⁹ Give my greetings to Prisca and Aquila, and to the household of Onesiphorus. ²⁰ Erastus stayed on at Corinth, but I left Trophimus sick at Miletus. ²¹ Try your best to come [to me] before winter. Eubulus wishes to be remembered to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the ^[e]brothers and sisters.

²² The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.